title: The incidence of Helicobacter pylori in patients with interstitial cystitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The cause of interstitial cystitis is unknown. We evaluated the incidence of Helicobacter pylori antibodies in patients with interstitial cystitis to determine whether such infection may be a causative factor.
  
  
  METHODS
  We obtained serum samples from 23 patients with interstitial cystitis and 23 control subjects. Samples were analyzed for the presence of H. pylori IgG antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of positive tests for H. pylori antibodies was 22% in the interstitial cystitis group and 35% in controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The incidence of infection with H. pylori is not increased in interstitial cystitis, and so it is unlikely to be a causative factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas, Houston, USA.
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: English
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Liebert
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Cross
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: McGuire
mesh_terms: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D018856:Cystitis, Interstitial / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000097:blood; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial